Thermal Storage Power Plants – Beyond easy renewables

The energy transition faces a next step. Until now, renewable energy installations entered the power sector with minimal disruption. However, as the share of wind and PV electricity increases, conventional power plants are becoming economically unviable. Curtailments and fluctuations are rising and the residual load coverage, grid stability and security of supply challenge the sector. In previous studies, Thermal Storage Power Plants (TSPPs) have been introduced as a solution for these challenges. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the TSPP’s role in the energy system as well as barriers and activities needed to integrate TSPPs. The main findings are the need for technology-open political and economic conditions, mechanisms and regulations, the need for tight CO2-balances for truly green electricity as well as to overcome the separate examination of load coverage, grid stability and security of supply by a holistic approach for a sustainable, cost-efficient, secure and resilient energy system.